Art, Events, and Gifts - Christmas Featured Businesses
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We’re hoping you’ve taken care of your Christmas presents by now—but if you haven’t, or if you simply want to get that spectacular gift to make things complete—we have just the treat for you. With this newsletter covering gift ideas from some of the best businesses on Vancouver Island, your Christmas will be spectacular.
ART
My Mondo Trading
A beautiful piece of art can improve the look of any home or office space, and for any art lover it would make the perfect gift no matter where they hang it. When choosing a piece, you want something unique and beautiful, and the work from My Mondo Trading delivers both. What sets their work apart is its provenance. By bringing you the very best of artists hailing from First Nation tribes across the Pacific Northwest, they are able to highlight underappreciated and often ignored artists, bringing their work, which is rich in their unique culture, legends, visual styles and storytelling, to the public.
Each piece in this collection of masks, totem poles, talking sticks, paddles, head dresses, bowls, boxes and more brings its own personal meaning and story, as well as beauty and value. With new pieces added and sold every week, and often selling fast, be sure to move quickly to secure the perfect artwork gift this Christmas.
To view their vast selection of art, visit www.mymondotrading.com
Peninsula Gallery
Whether you’re searching for a gift for an artist, or simply someone who you know appreciates the finer points of art, the acclaimed Peninsula Gallery is ideal for you. Formed in 1986, it has since grown into one of Canada’s most renowned and established art galleries, presenting high-quality art and sculptures from both local and nationwide artists.
Located in Sidney, and with worldwide shipping for their pieces as well as bespoke custom framing, choosing and sending a piece from their gallery couldn’t be easier. And, for those who prefer to create, they also offer a range of art classes.
For a closer look at their artists, artwork, and available classes, visit www.pengal.com
TopGate Farm
If you’re looking for artistic gifts and cards this Christmas, TopGate Farm gives you the chance to find something unique that reflects the best of Canadian art and artists. With a focus on the landscapes and seascapes of Western Canada, they showcase two very special Canadian artists and offer hand-printed reproductions of their work in the form of Art Cards, Note Cards, and Custom Art prints. Quality cards, great gifts!
To view their full products, visit www.topgatefarm.com
BOOKS
Everyone Can Cook
There are few pleasures more gratifying than preparing an exquisite meal for friends or family to enjoy and seeing the looks on their faces when they do. And to prepare great food, it’s essential to have a great recipe to follow. Eric Akis can be your source and inspiration for a whole host of great recipes.
As a renowned Canadian chef and food writer, who writes Wednesday and Sunday columns for the Victoria Times Colonist, he is a leading authority when it comes to good food. And he believes that everyone has a chef within them, waiting to be unleashed, all you need is passion, confidence, and the right inspiration. Eric has written several cookbooks, with easy to follow and rewarding recipes that are perfect for beginner and experienced cooks alike.
For taster recipes and more information, go to www.everyonecancook.com
Michelle Mulder
Books are often the ideal Christmas gift for any child, not only encouraging a lifelong love of reading, but giving them memories and attachments that they will remember for years to come. And, in the form of renowned Canadian author Michelle Mulder’s work, the perfect literary Christmas gift is now at hand. With a genuine passion for writing books for younger readers, she’s written a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles. For that extra touch, signed, personalised books are available from the author directly.
To view all of her books, visit www.michellemulder.com
Events, Entertaining, and Eating
Party Crashers
The holiday season is also undoubtedly the party season, with New Year’s and Christmas events to go alongside the usual line-up of weddings, birthdays, graduations and more. Party Crashers are here to make all that planning go smoother, letting you focus on having a good time.
As Victoria’s largest party supply store, they have everything you need to throw an amazing party. And as a locally owned and operated company that always puts the customer first, you can count on getting a friendly and reliable service that reflects your needs. Now also offering the services of DJ PTK , Victoria’s premier wedding and event DJ to help with all your office and staff holiday needs.
For further details, visit www.thepartycrashers.ca
Cakes Etc.
There’s often so much planning and cooking that goes into any Christmas party or gathering that it can be hard to keep everyone happy when it comes to sweets and cakes. Fear not this Christmas though, Cakes Etc. is here to provide you with a delectable range of options. Whether you’re looking for a jaw dropping centrepiece, or a mouth-watering collection of sweets for your guests, they have everything you need.
To see their full selection visit www.cakesetc.ca
Cheryl’s Gourmet Pantry
Whether you’re simply too pushed for time this winter, or you want something with more style and taste than your standard home-made fare, Cheryl’s Gourmet Pantry is the answer to all your Christmas catering quandaries. Regardless of the size of the occasion, from small home events to the office Christmas party, they offer a sumptuous selection of delicious food, delivered with knowledge and professionalism.
To see her mouth-watering menus, visit www.cherylsgourmetpantry.com
Kenmar Flower Farm
Flowers can be an ideal way to add a touch of grace and elegance to any winter party or occasion. Or, they can be a beautiful and touching gift for a partner or family member. Either way, as one of the premier florists in Victoria, the Kenmar Flower Farm will be able to provide you with something that will take people’s breath away. With a wide range of flowers, and European Handtied Bouquets that are arranged on a daily basis by people whose skill, craft, and experience shine through.
For flower tips and pictures of their beautiful bouquets, go to www.kenmarflowerfarm.com
GIFTS
Heritage Wooden Gifts
It is now easier than ever to find beautiful custom works of art, and with Heritage Wooden Gifts you can find something which is carved with love by expert engravers. This collection of a wide range of pieces, including jewellery, crests, medals, magnets, bookmarks, and coasters, gives you the chance to present someone with a truly unique gift, that captures and transforms the natural beauty of the West Coast into a lovingly crafted treasure.
To view their full selection of products visit www.heritagewoodengifts.com
Cuban Cigar Shop
There are few products that carry more social cache, quality, and style than the Cuban Cigar, with its worldwide reputation and storied history. Making them the ideal gift this Christmas, and the Cuban Cigar Shop in Victoria offers a wide selection of quality options. Additionally, they have an impressive selection of accessories, including luxurious humidors, cigar cutters, and lighters.
To see their full selection of products, visit www.cubancigar-shop.com
Island Outfitters
Since 1994 Island Outfitters has been supplying Victoria’s fisherman with all their bait and equipment needs. Their dedicated staff will be on hand to guide you through the best equipment, bait choices, and all the best fishing spots on Vancouver Island.
For that perfect gift for the fisher in your life, visit www.fishingvictoria.com
Society of Saint Vincent De Paul
If you’re looking for fantastic bargains with the added bonus of contributing to a great cause — why not head on down to SVDP. The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul is run with the spirit of fairness and compassion in mind, helping those who truly need it. To help them achieve this they operate a number of thrift stores throughout Victoria, selling; clothes, household items, electronics, furniture, antiques, and much more!
For more information on the good work of the society and for a list of locations you can visit www.ssvpvancouverisland.ca
Out of Ireland
Clothing has always been a staple of Christmas gifting, especially knitwear. Thanks to Out Of Ireland you have a wonderful collection of gorgeous Irish sweaters to choose from. In addition the store showcases the very best of Ireland’s wool clothing for women and men as well as fashion scarves. Some much loved Irish brands you’ll find in the store – Belleek; Guinness®; Avoca Throws; Claddagh and Bewleys. If you can’t decide why not consider a Gift Card? A gift from Out Of Ireland is sure to delight!
They ship worldwide, so call them toll free – 1 866 389 0886 or visit www.outofireland.ca
Faith Grant’s On The Avenue
Antiques don’t just make for excellent gifts, full of character, uniqueness and attractiveness, they also offer people a chance to join a lineage of owners and personal history. With a collection of hand-picked items from homes across Vancouver Island, Faith Grant’s On The Avenue has a wide range of antiques for that special, personal gift.
To see their current inventory, visit www.faithgrantantiques.com
Pets West
No matter what the animal, your pet is an important, and beloved, part of your life. So, don’t neglect them this Christmas, make sure to gift them (And their owners) with something that’ll make their lives better, whether that’s food, supplies, or even a brand new toy.
If you do, Pets West, located in the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre in Victoria, has a wide range of pet supplies and food for dogs, cats, birds, fish, small animals, reptiles and wild birds. Or, why not go that one step further and get the precious gift of a delightful companion through their cat adoption service, whose cats come only from established and vetted local pet rescues (but remember, pets are for life, not just Christmas!)
For the latest coupons, visit www.petswest.ca
Sawyer Sewing Centre
The best gifts are the ones that come from the heart, and the ones that are crafted personally with love and care. Nothing reflects that quite like a sewn piece of clothing, blanket, or anything your imagination can conjure up. At Sawyer Sewing centre they have the experience, and products to help make that happen.
With top quality threads, sewing machine repair and parts, and a wide range of accessories. All of which can also make great gifts for the sewing aficionado in your life. And, if you know someone who’s looking to get started, then Sawyer offer classes to help them on their way.
To see their full list of products, visit www.sawyersewing.com
Sawyer Trampolines
Are you looking for a unique gift this Christmas than can be both fun and rewarding for your kids (And maybe even the adults)? Then look no further than Sawyer Trampolines. A trampoline could make an amazing gift with the potential for year-round fun and exercise and low maintenance and easy assembly. T
hey have a range of excellent products that feature heavy-duty galvanized steel frames, weather resistant marine vinyl covered safety pads, high density polypropylene jumping surface, and galvanized steel springs. There is a maximum weight load of 450 pounds which means mum and dad can enjoy bouncing with the kids too.
To view which trampolines would suit you best, visit www.sawyertrampolines.com
Theresa Makes Paper Dolls
If you’re looking for something truly unique for a gift idea, and something that’s going to have a genuine personal touch, then Theresa Makes Paper Dolls has just the solution for you. There are endless possibilities with a personalised paper doll, made in a likeness of your choosing, and they come with a wide range of outfits and styles, making them a great gift for adults and children alike. Giving you something fun and quirky to enjoy.
To order your own paper doll, visit www.theresamakespaperdolls.com
All Battery
It’s a very common problem, you’ve been given a great new gift for Christmas and you can’t wait to start using it…but you don’t have the battery it needs. All Battery in Langford is here to make sure your Christmas runs smoothly, with batteries for cell phones, cordless phones, digital cameras, laptops, GPS devices and much more, they’re sure to have the right battery for your gift. They stock specialized batteries, and household batteries such as AA, AAA, button-sized etc. They also have new lithium automotive booster packs – makes a great gift!
For further details visit www.allbattery.ca
HOME & GARDEN DECOR
Heirloom Linens
A good quality bed is far more important that most people realise, giving you somewhere comfortable to go after a long hard day, and making sure you’re rested and relaxed come morning. So, why not give someone the gift of a good night’s sleep this Christmas. If you are, Heirloom Linens, located in the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre in Victoria, has all the products you could possibly need.
With high quality duvets, mattresses, blankets, and much more. And, if you’re a parent looking for a gift for those tricky college age students, Heirloom Linens can ship a set right to them.
For all your bedding needs, visit www.heirloomlinens.com
Bernard LeBlanc Cabinetmaker
If you’re looking for that high end gift this Christmas, one that is sure to add a touch of refinement and opulence to any room. Then the custom cabinets and pieces made by Bernard LeBlanc are the perfect gift idea for you. An expert woodworker, his custom pieces are sure to impress with their stunning beauty, and you can rest easy knowing all of his pieces are made with sustainable wood.
To see exactly what he can do, visit www.bernardleblanc.com
The Tapestry House
It can be hard to find that piece of art or décor to really make your home and office space stand out, but this Christmas the answer is at hand. With a beautiful and ornate European tapestry from The Tapestry House, you can give someone the gift of a magnificent piece that will add drama and style to wherever they hang it.
These high-quality tapestries, including everything from medieval and classical scenes to contemporary pieces, have been woven by long-established weavers in France, Belgium and Italy, who take tremendous pride in their craft and tradition.
To view their selection of tapestries, visit www.thetapestryhouse.com
Vertical Organic Gardening
Vertical gardening is one of the best ways to make the most of your outdoor space. With a Vertical Organic Garden you will be able to grow your own food, and develop a fantastic outdoor space to really enrich your home. With their Gardens, you can grow up to 48 pots of fruits, vegetables, or herbs in an area of less than 8 square feet, making it an ideal gift for someone with a green thumb with limited space
To find out more visit www.verticalorganicgarden.com
JEWELLERY
Stephen Fortner Jewellery
There is no better gift than a piece of sparkling fine jewellery, but you want to be sure you’re getting the very best. Stephen Fortner can ensure just that, using only conflict free stones that have been appraised by an expert Gemmologist. As a skilled goldsmith with over 25 years of experience he turns those stones into beautiful, glistening jewellery that will make for a special gift that is sure to be cherished.
To see his beautiful products, visit www.stephenfortner.com
Susan Koch
Jewellery is the perfect gift for someone you care about this Christmas, but the tricky part can often be finding something that is unique, distinctive, and heartfelt, the jewellery of Susan Koch is all those things, and much more. Reflecting her summers spent on Galiano Island, and a lifelong love affair with beach stones and sea glass. She incorporates these unique design elements into he work, crafting organic sterling silver jewellery with a gorgeous aesthetic, and a hand-crafted uniqueness that can’t be replicated.
To see pictures of her stunning and jewellery and which stores on Vancouver Island stock them, visit www.susankoch.ca
SPORT
Cycle Therapy
Staying in shape through the winter doesn’t have to be a drag — not with the exciting option of year-round Vancouver Island cycling. Cycling isn’t just an amazing way to get and stay fit, it’s also a great way of exploring this gorgeous island. It doesn’t matter what your cycling level is, Cycle Therapy has everything you need to start your cycling adventure — expert advice, great customer service, and a wide range of bikes, accessories, and even bike rentals. Come visit in Duncan and check them out.
To start making plans for you or your loved ones, visit www.cycletherapy.ca.
Kirby’s Source for Sports
No matter what level they’re playing at, Kirby’s Source for Sports has a wide selection of equipment and supplies that would make the perfect Christmas gift for the sports enthusiast in your life. Kirby’s has a wide range of products across Hockey, Baseball, and Lacrosse, as well as recently expanded offerings in Soccer, Field Hockey and Football.
This locally owned and operated business can be counted on for high-quality customer service and support, backed by owners Kirby Yeats and Sean Tackaberry, who have over 50 combined years’ worth of experience in the sporting goods industry.
To view their full selection of products visit www.kirbyssports.com
If you would like to be featured in a future newsletter, just get in touch! Email info@radarhill.com.